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Avenue of the Giants

5 Star Route / NorCal (Coast), California (North) / Published March 2020
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Giant redwoods along california gravel cycling ride
Near Founders Grove.
Gravel sector of Dyerville Loop road, gravel cycling northern california coast
The gravel sector. Dyerville Loop road.
Myers flat stop along gravel cycling route
Coffee?? Myers Flat.
Avenue of the Giants, gravel cycling, road cycling
Avenue of the Giants
Visiting redwood trees along gravel cycling route
One of the stops along the way.
Parking area, northern california redwoods gravel cycling route
Founders Grove parking area.
*
Route:
Loop | 23 mi
*
Gain:
2100 ft
*
Surface:
20% gravel, 80% paved
*
Technical Difficulty:
Moderate
*
Navigation:
Straightforward
*
Locale:
Rural
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Tire Suggestion:
30 mm
*
eBike Friendly:
Yes
Community Condition Report:
Update

The Avenue of the Giants is one of the most scenic drives through giant redwoods that there is. In fact it has been called the finest forest drive in the world. We think that the best way to see all that this little adventure has to offer is by bike. The beauty comes at you slower, the awe is bigger, and the hassle is less (parking a bike is so much easier than a car).

The portion of the Avenue of Giants highlighted in this route (8 miles), we think, is the most scenic of the 31 miles. But we did drive the entire length of the Avenue later in the day. We recommend you do the same.

Read More
Map & Details
Brown = gravel / dirt road
Blue = single track
Red = paved road
Purple = paved bike path

Route Downloads:

Ride with GPS Strava GPX file Cue Sheet

When we like to ride this…

Our preference, is outside of the tourist season when the Avenue of the Giants is quiet. During the winter you may not see anyone on Dyerville Loop Road. However, during the summer tourist season expect to share the road on Avenue of the Giants.

The Start

Founders Tree parking area. Restrooms.

Lat / Long: 40.352644, -123.923249

Food & Water

  • ~ Mile 13: Myers Flat. About the halfway point.
Highlights

Terrain & Riding

The first 7 miles of the route are along the powerful Eel river. The road rolls up and down, with little traffic. The Eel River is the third largest watershed in the state of California, with flows that vary by a factor of 100 from summer to winter.

At mile 7 you come to the gravel section. It is steep! You gain 1100 feet in just over 2 miles, with short pitches up to 15%. At the right onto Dyerville road, you reconnect with pavement. The lands are farming and orchards. And … he climbing for the day is done! The next mile is rolling. Turn onto Elk Creek road and it is a quick descent to the Avenue of the Giants.

At Myers Flat, a bit over half way into the ride, you will find a coffee shop and several other stores. Make the stop. From here, it is some of the most majestic redwood forest in the world. Stop often. Explore. Take pictures.

Notes & Options

Route Notes

  1. Only 20% of the routes is gravel and that is completely doable on 28 mm tires. We did this route on road bikes, not gravel bikes.

  2. For safety, we recommend that you use a red blinky light. Bring a lock for your bike and good biking / walking shoes.

  3. This is one of the first gravel routes we mapped, explored and documented at Dirty Freehub (2014). It is a 5 Star route, but our picture documentation above is more in line with we that of a Training Route. Thus, if you do ride the route and have some pictures you would like to share with us, send us an email. The address is below.

Route Options

You could do the Avenue of the Giants as a simple out and back, but we like loops. This loop routes you along the Eel river, up into farming / orchard country, back to the redwoods, and then onto the Avenue of the Giants.

If you’re looking for a longer ride, consider the Dyerville Giant.

Comments

Have you ridden this route? Got a question? Join the discussion!

Ridden and Reviewed by:

Captain O

Captain O / Team Dirty Freehub

He should have “Never Stop Exploring” tattooed on his chest! He loves adventures on bikes and is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.

Gravel Girl

Gravel Girl / Team Dirty Freehub

She loves a good day of gravel, like most people like a good book. She’s always amused by the outdoors and the wild adventures. Gravel Girl is a Co-Founder of Dirty Freehub.

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